Nov. 6, 2009 (The Korea Times) -- By Kim Jae-won

Staff Reporter

With Korean women dominating the LPGA tour, local financial companies are searching to find promising female golfers as part of efforts to boost their marketing both at home and abroad.

Mirae Asset, which struck a five-year, 5-billion-won deal with Shin Ji-yai in February, wants to add a few more female golfers to their list.

"We are considering sponsoring more female golfers, but we cannot reveal the list of candidates at this moment," a Mirae official told The Korea Times.

However, according to sources, the company is keen to sign a deal with KLPGA star players Kim Bo-kyung and Ahn Shin-ae.

The reason for firms' growing interest in female golfers is that its potential marketing effect is huge for companies seeking to go abroad.

"The marketing effect is huge. Experts say that when Shin wins the LPGA tour once, it may create $100-million worth of advertisement effect," the Mirae official said.

"Especially, when Shin won the HSBC (NYSE:HBC) Championship, which was held in Singapore, it greatly exposed our company to the Chinese-speaking world."

Other financial firms, such as BC Card, Tomato Savings Bank and Samhwa Savings Bank, wanted to get in on the action.

BC Card has shown interest in Hong Ran and Hong Jin-joo, the sources said.

"I know that many companies are interested in Hong Ran. She is still on the tour, so we will consider that after the season," a source close to the player said.

Tomato Savings Bank, which has organized a men's golf team, has now decided to make a women's team.

The bank is eager to get some big players. "We have searched for the candidates. We will take big stars as well," an official said.

Companies are also seeking to use female golfers for their VIP marketing by inviting them to various events, such as a VIP invitational round.

Samwha Savings Bank, which sponsors Jung Hye-jin and Kim Min-sun, is also considering signing more players.